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Laurie S. Longo

also known as JustMichiganAppeals.com, Just Michigan Appeals
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Avvo Rating9.8
  • Ann Arbor, MI
  • Licensed for 31 years
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About Laurie

 

"Ms. Longo is seen as the pre-eminent appellate lawyer in our community, and with good reason. She combines keen analysis, excellent writing skills, and common-sense advocacy to make her effective. She is my "go-to" appellate resource in my own practice, and I am happy to endorse her."

Ms. Longo has practiced as an appellate attorney in Michigan for over 20 years, focusing almost exclusively on civil appeals in the Michigan courts for cases involving the UCC, contracts, family law, including custody and child support, property law and zoning, municipal regulation, legal malpractice, medical malpractice, among others issues.

Ms. Longo was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1989 and is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Prior to private practice, she worked as a staff attorney with the Michigan Court of Appeals and as a judicial intern with the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Ms. Longo holds a JD from The Ohio State University College of Law (now Moritz College of Law) and a Master’s Degree in Political Science with an emphasis on American Constitutional Law and American Judicial Politics. Following law school, she attended the Ph.D. Program in Urban, Technological and Environmental Planning at the University of Michigan. In conjunction with that program, she designed and taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Eastern Michigan University in property law, law and urban planning, and law and aesthetics.

Ms. Longo is also a mixed media artist and donates pieces for various local charity events including the Circle of Art (a benefit for Foodgatherers), the Bar Revue (a benefit for Southeastern Michigan Legal Aid), the summer reading program benefit for Ann Arbor Public Library, Avalon Housing, and more.

 

 

 

Practice areas

OtherLand use and zoningFamilyContracts and agreementsAppeals
  1. Appeals: 50%

    Our office has successfully represented clients in the Michigan appellate courts in a broad array of legal areas including family law, real estate law, water rights cases, boundary disputes, zoning issues, employment law, probate appeals, and more.

    31 years, 200 cases

  2. Contracts and agreements: 10%

    Contract law APPEALS - all aspects of contracts, non-competes, breach of contract (BUT ONLY ON APPEAL...).

  3. Family: 10%

    Family law APPEALS - Child custody, parenting time, property, prenuptial agreements, all aspects of family law (BUT ONLY APPEALS...).

  4. Land use and zoning: 10%

    Real property APPEALS - boundary disputes, easements, zoning, all aspects of property law (BUT ONLY APPEALS...).

  1. Probate: 10%

    Probate APPEALS - Undue influence, competency, will and trust disputes, all aspects of probate law (BUT ONLY APPEALS...).

  2. Child custody: 10%

    Family law APPEALS - Child custody, parenting time, property, prenuptial agreements, all aspects of family law (BUT ONLY APPEALS...).

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

749630 1397146586

749630 1397147391

749630 1397147552

749630 1397148064

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
MIActive And In Good Standing198810/24/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers101
Legal guides1
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2016
First PlaceEdsel and Eleanor Ford House - Grimmly Speaking Award2012
Best DisplayBookfest2012
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Senior AttorneyLaw Offices of L. S. Longo - Just Michigan Appeals1991 - Present
Owner and ArtistStories and Divinations2010 - 2013
Staff Attorney - Prehearing DivisionMichigan Court Of Appeals Prehearing Division1988 - 1990
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Washtenaw County Bar AssociationAttorney Member2000 - Present
Women Lawyers Association of MichiganAttorney Member1995 - Present
Appellate Practice Section of the State Bar of MichiganAttorney Member1995 - Present
State Bar of MichiganAttorney Member1989 - Present
Lawyers United for Sabra BriereCo-Chair2014 - 2014
Grand Rapids Bar AssociationAttorney Member2013 - 2014
American Inns of CourtMaster2013 - 2014
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
The Macomb Daily LAWSUITSParking feud between Warren businesses could head to Michigan Supreme Court2016
The AnnComment2014
The Ann Arbor ChronicleColumn: Get Your Signs Outta My Yard2014
Washtenaw County Legal NewsDistric Court Appeals - A Glitch and a Fix2013
Res Ipsa Loquitor (WCBA)Avvo - Be Rated or Berated2013
Detroit Legal NewsLocal Voice: Avvo - Be Rated or Berated2013
Washtenaw County Legal NewsMonday Profile - Laurie Longo2013
Michigam Lawyers WeekleyEconomically driven strategy’ key in support case2012
The NAELA eBulletin -- A Weekly Newsletter on Elder Law IssuesCourt orders distribution consistent with trust terms2010
Probate Law Case SummariesElmer M. Dobson Trust2010
Detroit Business LawJackson v Estate of Green: The Effect of a Partition Action on a Joint Tenancy2009
Res Ipsa Loquitor (WCBA)Appellate Practice Changes Effective January 1, 20052004
Michigan Lawyers WeekleyLawyers Cannot, Should Not Neglect Unpublished Opinions2003
Michigan Lawyers WeekleyNo-Fault Insurer Must Pay Driver's Medical Expenses2003
Res Ipsa Loquitor (WCBA)Appellate Practice Alert1997
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Ohio State University Moritz College of LawJD - Juris Doctor1989
The Ohio State UniverityMasters Degree1987
The Ohio State UniveristyBA - Bachelor of Arts1983
Columbus College of Art and DesignN/AN/A
Pratt InstituteN/AN/A
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Appellate Practice SeminarAppellate Practice2005
Appellate Practice SeminarAppellate Practice2000
Appellate Practice SeminarAppellate Practice1997
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Froling v Pelican PropertyMy client prevailed when the Court of Appeals reversed the order granting plaintiff summary disposition.
In the Matter of William PetitOur client received the property and all other funds to which she was entitled.
Consens v BaleJudgment against my client was reversed and she obtained a judgment against the opposing party.
Bechtol v AllenWe were able to have the equitable and injunctive relief against my client vacated on appeal and, on remand, the trial court adopted in full the injunction proposed by my client.
Rabah v AwadMy client won - the trial court was reversed
Carns v CarnsThe Court of Appeals granted our motion to dismiss.
Sinta v McDonaldMy client won the appeal within three days.
Thaden v GorinacThe Court of Appeals agreed with my client and reversed the trial court’s exclusion of the plaintiffs from participation in the auction and vacated the imposition of the easement.
Gusmano v GusmanoMy client won.
Collins Family Trust v Taylor, et al., COA 300510 (2010)My client won and the circuit court and district court orders were vacated.
In re Elmer Dobson TrustMy client won.
Martin v MartinMy client obtained peremptory relief on an application for leave to appeal challenging an award of retriactive child support.
Jackson v Estate of Green, ___ Mich ___ (2009)My client won.
Yount v YountMy client won and was reunited with his daughters.
Newtek v Golf BanMy client won and the trial court was reversed.
Mckelvey & Co V H & B Bookkeeping & Tax Services Inc.My client won on appeal.
Bakian v Nat'l City Bank (In re Estate of Moukalled), 269 Mich App 708 (2006).My client won.
TRIERWEILER v VARNUM RIDDERINGMy client obtained a reversal of the trial court's ruling limiting the interest on his legal malpractice judgment.
Laier v Kitchen, 266 Mich App 482, 484; 702 NW2d 199 (2005).The Michigan Court of Appeals held that the open and obvious doctrine is inapplicable to an ordinary negligence claim as distinguished from a premises liability. My client won.
Kallabat v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 256 Mich App 146 (2003)Our client won, summary disposition was reversed.
Nabozny v NaboznyThe default judgment was vacated. My client won.
Xioa v GreeneThe trial court was affirmed and our client won.
City of Kalamazoo v Department of Corrections, 229 Mich App 132 (1998)Our client prevailed.
Wilcox v WilcoxThe Court of Appeals entered an order in favor of our client.

Reviews

(5)
5 Star
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Review Laurie Longo

Superb Attorney

Posted by

Laurie's practical legal advice was very useful in addressing a very complex dispute. It was not about "what could happen" but focused on what was most likely and what was practical. Well worth the money.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Above and beyond

Posted by

Lori was asked by my attorney to come in and review our existing summary regarding my case. Upon reviewing the case, Lori wrote a appeal type summary that allowed my case to move forward, as the defendants attorney was looking to get the case thrown out. Lori's legal expertise convinced the court to give my case a hearing. Lori went above and beyond just legal representation by her personal emails and calls to me, even after her services were complete, she even attended the hearing with my attorney on her own time. Lori really made a difference in my case, her professionalism, legal acumen, combined with a genuine interest in my outcome was very impressive. I would highly recommend Lori.

Best Michigan Appellate Attorney! Laurie does Michigan Appeals cases.

Posted by

Unarguably one of the best appellate attorneys in the country, probably the best in Michigan. My husband and I had a hell of a time finding a competent attorney who actually gave a damn, until he found Laurie. Many attorneys take your security deposit and you practically never hear from them again; Laurie just isn’t built that way. She got our case overturned, and even got the unjust just kicked off the case! She handily beat another rather famous and arrogant appellate attorney. We are so lucky she agreed to take on our case!

Better than I could have imagined

Posted by

Ms Longo handled my case on appeal from circuit ct with the wholehearted commitment that I had been raised to believe was normal. Ms Longo demonstrated that and, imnsho, more. That she won enough on appeal to further my case is almost irrelevant compared to my opinion of her work. The legal profession is equally honoured to include Ms Longo as a member. And I;ll swear to it.

Simply the Best

Posted by

Whoever reads this review, I fully 100% recommend Laurie and her work... DO NOT look any further!!! I had a judgement against my wife and I related to real estate and a major bank who had hired a strong lawyer against me. I was out of the USA and needed someone who can step in quickly and help. I contacted several law firms and presented my case. Everyone right away gave me a worst case scenario and were looking to just collect money. Then I contacted Laurie who from the beginning surprised me. She analyzed my case, did a research that covered international law and standards, and most surprising and pleasant of all was that she offered to do the first appeal with the opposing lawyer for free. She responded to me day and night (I think she never sleeps:).... Always very professional and thorough in her answers and questions. Most of all she knows appeals better than anyone in The region/state.... Needless to say she was able to put the judgement aside !!!!!

Attorney endorsements

(12)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Nicholas Roumel, Employment and labor Attorney on Apr 13, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Ms. Longo is seen as the pre-eminent appellate lawyer in our community, and with good reason. She combines keen analysis, excellent writing skills, and common-sense advocacy to make her effective. She is my "go-to" appellate resource in my own practice, and I am happy to endorse her.

Stuart Shafer, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 28, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Laurie successfully appealed an extremely interesting and complicated family law matters wrongly decided by the trial court, which was initially handled by a different attorney. I was asked to represent the client on the remand. Although Laurie's appeal was done, she was so committed to this case and her client that she stayed in to both help where she could and continue to support our client. Laurie not only did an incredible job on the appeal, but she was an invaluable resource in preparing for and during the trial. Our client prevailed, but only because of Laurie's incredible skills and commitment. Because of Laurie, I looked pretty good.

Fred Steingold, Real estate Attorney on Apr 11, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Laurie is a very experienced and highly competent appeals lawyer. She not only knows the nuances of the rules governing Michigan appeals, but also the practical application of those rules. Any litigant or lawyer who hires Laurie will be in good hands.

David Cahill, Business Attorney on Apr 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. She is particularly good on appeals.

Lynn D'Orio, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Laurie's understanding of appellate practice is outstanding. She finds the issues and the law to fight for her clients.

Debra Keehn, Family Attorney on Apr 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Laurie Longo is an exceptional appellate attorney. I have referred clients to her and I have consulted her on my own cases. In each instance, her advice has been spot on and has been conveyed with a clarity that only comes from experience. I heartily endorse Laurie!

Sally Fink, Family Attorney on Apr 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. I have known and worked with Laurie Longo for many years. She is an excellent appellate attorney. She spots issues and researches thoroughly. Her writing is clear and persuasive. She understands the rules, and appropriately applies them to the issues. She has good instincts, and the utmost integrity. I have recommended her to clients without reservation.

Guy Conti, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on May 6, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Laurie is the go-to appellate lawyer in Washtenaw County. She has encyclopedic knowledge of appellate standards and practice. I know she maintains a sophisticated appellate case law "snippet" database because every time I call her with a question she has a snippet to quote me. Why would you want anyone else to handle your appeal?

Stuart Shafer, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 28, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Laurie successfully appealed an extremely interesting and complicated family law matters wrongly decided by the trial court, which was initially handled by a different attorney. I was asked to represent the client on the remand. Although Laurie's appeal was done, she was so committed to this case and her client that she stayed in to both help where she could and continue to support our client. Laurie not only did an incredible job on the appeal, but she was an invaluable resource in preparing for and during the trial. Our client prevailed, but only because of Laurie's incredible skills and commitment. Because of Laurie, I looked pretty good.

Noah Yanich, Litigation Attorney on Apr 15, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Laurie is aggressive, highly experienced, ethical, reasonable, and a decent human being. She is a top-notch lawyer in her field. Hire her with confidence.

Alfreda Menlove, Family Attorney on Apr 15, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. She is highly competent, efficient and gets very good results. She is also very pleasant and easy to work with.

Michael Longo

I endorse this lawyer.

Joseph Simon, DUI and DWI Attorney on Apr 13, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Nicholas Roumel, Employment and labor Attorney on Apr 13, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Ms. Longo is seen as the pre-eminent appellate lawyer in our community, and with good reason. She combines keen analysis, excellent writing skills, and common-sense advocacy to make her effective. She is my "go-to" appellate resource in my own practice, and I am happy to endorse her.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$250-$350/hour
    PAYMENT METHODS

    Cash, Check, Credit Card

    Legal guides written by Laurie Longo